Dynamic-CoMPI: dynamic optimization techniques for MPI parallel applications

This work presents an optimization of MPI communications, called Dynamic-CoMPI, which uses two techniques in order to reduce the impact of communications and non-contiguous I/O requests in parallel applications. These techniques are independent of the application and complementaries to each other. The first technique is an optimization of the Two-Phase collective I/O technique from ROMIO, called Locality aware strategy for Two-Phase I/O (LA-Two-Phase I/O). In order to increase the locality of the file accesses, LA-Two-Phase I/O employs the Linear Assignment Problem (LAP) for finding an optimal I/O data communication schedule. The main purpose of this technique is the reduction of the number of communications involved in the I/O collective operation. The second technique, called Adaptive-CoMPI, is based on run-time compression of MPI messages exchanged by applications. Both techniques can be applied on every application, because both of them are transparent for the users. Dynamic-CoMPI has been validated by using several MPI benchmarks and real HPC applications. The results show that, for many of the considered scenarios, important reductions in the execution time are achieved by reducing the size and the number of the messages. Additional benefits of our approach are the reduction of the total communication time and the network contention, thus enhancing, not only performance, but also scalability.     

CO2 emissions structure of Indian economy

This paper analyses carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of the Indian economy by producing sectors and due to household final consumption. The analysis is based on an Input–Output (IO) table and Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) for the year 2003–04 that distinguishes 25 sectors and 10 household classes. Total emissions of the Indian economy in 2003–04 are estimated to be 1217 million tons (MT) of CO₂, of which 57% is due to the use of coal and lignite. The per capita emissions turn out to be about 1.14 tons. The highest direct emissions are due to electricity sector followed by manufacturing, steel and road transportation. Final demands for construction and manufacturing sectors account for the highest emissions considering both direct and indirect emissions as the outputs from almost all the energy-intensive sectors go into the production process of these two sectors. In terms of life style differences across income classes, the urban top 10% accounts for emissions of 3416 kg per year while rural bottom 10% class accounts for only 141 kg per year. The CO₂ emission embodied in the consumption basket of top 10% of the population in urban India is one-sixth of the per capita emission generated in the US.     

Effect of humidity on structure and electrochromic properties of sol–gel-derived tungsten oxide films

The influence of varying relative humidity (RH55 and 75%) during thin film deposition from an oxalato-acetylated peroxotungstic acid sol by dip coating, on the microstructure and electrochromic properties of pristine tungsten oxide (WO₃) films obtained upon annealing is presented. The films fabricated under a relative humidity of 55% are amorphous whereas the ones cast under a substantially humid atmosphere (RH75%) are characterized by interconnected nanocrystallites with a triclinic phase and a nanoporous surface morphology as well. Upon lithium insertion, larger integrated values of transmission modulation and coloration efficiency are observed over the photopic and solar regions, for the films prepared under a RH75% as compared to that observed for the films deposited under a RH of 55%. Functional improvements are due to the larger surface area of nanocrystallites and a porous microstructure, a consequence of a higher degree of hydration and hydroxylation in the former films in contrast to the non-porous and a rather featureless structure of the latter films. Faster switching kinetics between the clear and blue states, a greater current density for lithium intercalation, a higher diffusion coefficient for lithium and a superior cycling stability, again shown by the film fabricated under a 75% RH confirm that the WO₃ film microstructure is most conducive for a more facile ion insertion–extraction process, which hints at its potential for electrochromic window applications.     

Real-Time Monitoring the Effect of Cytopathic Hypoxia on Retinal Pigment Epithelial Barrier Functionality Using Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) Biosensor Technology

Disruption of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE barrier integrity is a hallmark feature of various retinal blinding diseases, including diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration, but the underlying causes and pathophysiology are not completely well-defined. One of the most conserved phenomena in biology is the progressive decline in mitochondrial function with aging leading to cytopathic hypoxia, where cells are unable to use oxygen for energy production. Therefore, this study aimed to thoroughly investigate the role of cytopathic hypoxia in compromising the barrier functionality of RPE cells. We used Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) system to monitor precisely in real time the barrier integrity of RPE cell line (ARPE-19) after treatment with various concentrations of cytopathic hypoxia-inducing agent, Cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl₂). We further investigated how the resistance across ARPE-19 cells changes across three separate parameters: R_b (the electrical resistance between ARPE-19 cells), α (the resistance between the ARPE-19 and its substrate), and C_m (the capacitance of the ARPE-19 cell membrane). The viability of the ARPE-19 cells and mitochondrial bioenergetics were quantified with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and seahorse technology, respectively. ECIS measurement showed that CoCl₂ reduced the total impedance of ARPE-19 cells in a dose dependent manner across all tested frequencies. Specifically, the ECIS program’s modelling demonstrated that CoCl₂ affected R_b as it begins to drastically decrease earlier than α or C_m, although ARPE-19 cells’ viability was not compromised. Using seahorse technology, all three concentrations of CoCl₂ significantly impaired basal, maximal, and ATP-linked respirations of ARPE-19 cells but did not affect proton leak and non-mitochondrial bioenergetic. Concordantly, the expression of a major paracellular tight junction protein (ZO-1) was reduced significantly with CoCl_2-treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Our data demonstrate that the ARPE-19 cells have distinct dielectric properties in response to cytopathic hypoxia in which disruption of barrier integrity between ARPE-19 cells precedes any changes in cells’ viability, cell-substrate contacts, and cell membrane permeability. Such differences can be used in screening of selective agents that improve the assembly of RPE tight junction without compromising other RPE barrier parameters.     

Losses in diagonal MHD generator

Losses in an MHD generator not only reduce the power output but also degrade it. The losses due to heat, friction and leakage through insulating-wall/slag have been analyzed for the diagonal generator for better control and performance. The losses due to leakage are higher than the heat and friction losses. The effect of wall temperature on losses is significant. The heat and friction losses decrease with increase in wall temperature, whereas the leakage losses increase with increase in wall temperature. The slag losses reduce power output from the channel drastically.     

Characteristic study,its identification and self-tuned approach to control hydro-power plants

The water time constant and mechanical time constant greatly influences the power and speed oscillations of hydro-turbine-generator unit. This paper discusses the turbine power transients in response to different nature and changes in the gate position. The work presented here analyses the characteristics of hydraulic system with an emphasis on changes in the above time constants. The simulation study is based on mathematical first-, second-, third- and fourth-order transfer function models. The study is further extended to identify discrete time-domain models and their characteristic representation without noise and with noise content of 10 & 20 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The use of self-tuned control approach in minimising the speed deviation under plant parameter changes and disturbances is also discussed.     

Effect of microencapsulation and spray drying on oxidative stability of flaxseed oil and its release behavior under simulated gastrointestinal conditions

Flaxseed oil is one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acid (α-linolenic acid, ALA). It contains high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, making it extremely susceptible to oxidation. In the present study, flaxseed oil was stabilized using microencapsulation followed by spray drying and studied for its oxidative stability in terms of peroxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid, and p-anisidine value at room temperature (35 ± 1°C) and low temperature (4–7°C) storage for 6 months. Results revealed that the developed flaxseed oil powder was stable throughout the storage period and PV remained below to the maximum permissible limit (≤5 mEq/kg oil) prescribed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The fatty acids profile measured by gas–liquid chromatography indicated a 14.28–15.13% decrease in ALA content in flaxseed oil as a result of microencapsulation and storage at room temperature. In vitro digestion behavior of microcapsules showed 4.39 ± 0.53 to 19.87 ± 0.47% release of flaxseed oil under simulated gastric continued, whereas under gastrointestinal conditions it was 20.00 ± 3.66 to 59.99 ± 9.29%.     

Semianalytical Model for Drawdown due to Pumping a Partially Penetrating Large Diameter Well

A semianalytical model is developed for computing drawdowns in and around a partially penetrating large diameter well. The new model can take into account an unsteady pumping discharge and thus drawdowns during recovery can be computed. This model can also yield the unsteady contributions from well and aquifer storages to the pumped discharge. While developing the model, the flow from the bottom of the well is also accounted.     

Extrusion of Hulled Barley Affecting β-Glucan and Properties of Extrudates

Grits from eight different hulled barley cultivars were subjected to extrusion cooking on a twin screw extruder, and the effect of extrusion variables (temperature and moisture) on β-glucan and physicochemical properties was evaluated. The highest bulk density was observed for extrudates extruded at 150 °C and 20% moisture (low temperature high moisture, LTHM) while the highest expansion was observed for the extrudates extruded at 150 °C and 15% moisture (low temperature low moisture). Extrusion reduced the lightness (L*) of the extrudates and the highest decrease observed for LTHM extrudates. Increasing the feed moisture decreased water solubility index (WSI) significantly while increasing the extrusion temperature significantly increased WSI. The high temperature high moisture (HTHM) extrudates exhibited the highest water absorption capacity. The total β-glucan content was not affected by extrusion cooking, but a significant increase in soluble β-glucan was observed with the highest in high temperature low moisture extrudates. The ratio of soluble to insoluble β-glucan varied from 0.7 to 1.5 in the control barley, but after extrusion cooking, the ratio was changed from 1.2 to 3.1. The β-glucan extractability increased by up to 8% after extrusion with extrudates from HTHM showing the highest extractability. The extent of starch gelatinization varied from 80% to 100% upon extrusion, and the highest was observed in HTHM extrudates. A significant decrease in the peak and final viscosity of the extrudates at all the extrusion conditions was observed.